Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124
Virbia immaculata
This record describes Virbia immaculata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description as Crocota immaculata Reakirt, is available online in the print references below. The Zaspel, Weller & Cardé revised description of Virbia immaculata is in PDF.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Arctiinae
- Tribe
- Arctiini
- Genus
- Virbia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
This species occurs north of latitude 40 degrees, from the Eastern Coast of North America west to Manitoba. This species can also be found in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. Revision of the Genus Listed as Holomelina mmaculata on some checklists.
Seasonal Activity
Adults have two flights beginning in June and the second in August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include: Taraxacum (dandelion) Plantago (plantain)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Virbia immaculata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by dennepj10 , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124
What is Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124?
Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124 (Virbia immaculata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124?
Forewing length 12 mm.
How do you identify Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124?
The original description as Crocota immaculata Reakirt, is available online in the print references below. The Zaspel, Weller & Cardé revised description of Virbia immaculata is in PDF.
Where is Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124 found?
Range: This species occurs north of latitude 40 degrees, from the Eastern Coast of North America west to Manitoba. This species can also be found in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. Revision of the Genus Listed as Holomelina mmaculata on some checklists.
What does Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124 eat?
The diet of the Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124 includes Larval hosts include: Taraxacum (dandelion) Plantago (plantain).
When is Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124 active?
Immaculate Virbia - Hodges#8124: seasonal activity - Adults have two flights beginning in June and the second in August..